Patience is a virtue when planning for significant growth
First, proving the location is the right one; accessible and deliverable. Recognising the development opportunity through a good understanding of expectations and aspirations. Engaging with key stakeholders to ensure its deliverability. Then, conceptualising the aspiration through a comprehensive masterplan to secure its allocation in the Local Plan.
Our staff led the site promotion and the subsequent preparation, submission and negotiation of an outline planning application that was approved in 2013. In preparing the site-wide masterplan, careful consideration was given to maximise the use of existing natural features to knit the mix of up to 1300 homes, 36ha of employment, a school and neighbourhood centre within an existing context that encompassed the M6 motorway, major employment distribution and residential uses, a country park, and Grade II* listed building.
To underpin early delivery, a separate full application for the first phase was negotiated concurrently with the outline application and reserved matters for the second phase were prepared on behalf of joint clients.
We have subsequently negotiated reserved matters for the remaining phases of residential development, with the final phases approved in early 2025.
A new neighbourhood
A large part of the development is already complete.
Its location immediately adjacent to the M6 motorway, resulted in the quick delivery of employment uses across the 36 hectares of land that was an integral part of the masterplan. These are well established, along with the first four phases of homes, parkland, play areas and allotments. The Griffin Primary School and Nursery has also been completed and opened in September 2023.
The last three residential phases are now underway and will deliver the final 550 homes.
Becoming an established neighbourhood
The overarching masterplanning and subsequent detailed design approach has created a community that is clearly integrated with its surroundings. It has established a parkland that meanders around the early phases, connecting homes with meaningful and functioning open space, that blends into the Swift Valley Country Park and forms part of a network of walkable routes, recreation and play spaces.
Project Team
Mark Rose
Kirstie Clifton
Mike Fenton
Sam Perkins
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